June 16 - 23, 2014 Trying to find an apartment

June 16 - 23, 2014  Trying to Find an apartment

The days go so quickly and being with friends and traveling and trying to secure an apartment has kept me quite busy to say the least.  Anyway, I have a few minutes this morning so will try to at least start this blog.  The flowers in Italy are so beautiful this time of year and everyone has lots of them.   

I spent the weekend through Tuesday 17th in Vicchio with the Piccolo's, sorting out my things and packing them up for storage there, to clear out the room I had been staying in at their home.

I think my things are multiplying!!! Help!

 On Wednesday,  18th, caught an 8:30am train back to Lecce in the South of Italy.  

Turned into a 12 hour train ride, as it was storming along the coast and the train hit branches on the tracks and also a large branch scraped down the side of the train across my window and down the full length of the train.  We then had to stop and the Polizia were called as well as track crews to clear the branches, etc.  We were there for over two hours.  This train was taking me to my destination, so was not a problem for me with any connections.  

The Italians are so expressive when they talk, both in the timbre and volume of their voice and all their hand use, it is hard to tell whether they are angry or just talking :)

 Adriatic Sea

 Then after we started moving again, we were speeding very fast trying to make up some time I guess, anyway, felt really strange to pass another train (seen out this window), going about 80 miles per hour (130 kmh).

 After we got to the next station, they brought us snacks onto the train, since we had no time to get off and get anything.

I arrived in Lecce and the B & B were I was staying was very close, only 1 1/2 blocks from the train station.  The lady  of the B & B was actually Spanish and a very tiny thing, but she hauled my suitcase up those four flights of stairs as if it were light... and I know for sure it was Not!   Lovely young lady and so pleasant.  I am very impressed with how nice everyone has been and accommodating... of course, I pay them well :) , these places are not exactly cheap, however, usually less expensive than a hotel. 

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/volver-b-b.html

After a wonderful rest I arose early next morning, as I wanted to beat the line up at the Immigration/Questura office, where I was going to see if I could get my VISA (save me a trip back to the US) and/or an extension to stay in Italy another 3 months.  There were two offices, one a couple blocks from the B & B and the other right next door.  Anyway, the information I had received indicated I needed to go to the further one, so I did.  After arriving there however, could not find anyone to translate for me, so called the B & B lady to inquire if she knew someone who could come with me.  She says no problem, she could translate and would come and did so.   Turned out this was not the place I needed to be, so had to go back to the one closest to her B & B.  Now, however, much time has passed and there is a long line of people waiting.  I get in the que, and tell her she does not have to wait for me.  She could go back to her B & B and I would call her when my turn came.  I was in line for 2 1/2 hours.  She came back then and also, a young man in front of me in line spoke excellent English, so he stayed and helped translate as well.

All to no avail however.  They will not process VISA's here and also would not give me an extension to stay beyond August 10th, so now my options were to leave just before convention time here (Aug 16) or leave now and go to the US and try to get my VISA and get back to Italy in time for Conv.  If I go to the US now, I will be able to come back to Italy for another 30 days on just my passport.  If I stay until Aug. 10th, my time allowed will all be used up and I won't be able to come back for another 90 days, so I have opted to go back now, and at least be here for convention in August, just in case I am unable to get a VISA.  So, while I had WIFI access in Lecce, I went on-line and spent a couple hours and searched for plane tickets, train tickets, hotels, etc.

Now, though, I for sure needed to secure my contract here, to be able to get a VISA in the US.  The reason I couldn't get my VISA before I came to Italy, was because I needed a signed contract from Italy.  They had told me in March when I had my interview in San Francisco, that I needed to come to Italy, get a contract and come back to San Francisco.  After speaking with people here in Italy, they thought I may be able to get my VISA here without going back to Italy, but when I went to the Questura, they also told me I would have to go back to the US.  So now (June 19th) I continued on to Porto Cesareo where I originally had a verbal agreement for a contract (and purchased my return plane tickets on the strength of this), however, when I arrived there, that place was no longer available, so I spent the next two days searching for another location.  It is prime tourist season in Porto Cesareo, so no one is wanting to rent long term at this time, as they make a lot more money renting to tourists.  There were a few available however, which I looked at, but none were suitable.   I had also left a few of my things with Giulia, so needed to pick them up before I left for the US.

Where I stayed in Porto Cesareo.  Here in Italy, every place I've been has the same windows as I had in my house there in Moses Lake.  I love the European doors and windows.

Now, it is Friday evening and there was a big 'football' game (soccer) between Italy and Costa Rica, so everything shut down except the bars and restaurants to watch the game.  Nothing is open on the weekends, and I needed to be in Bari for church on Sunday, so Saturday morning, I packed my bags and walked the 1/2 hour to the bus stop to go back to Lecce and catch the train to Bari.  Caputo's picked me up there and I have been with them for the weekend. 

   

Saturday evening Cristina's friends came to celebrate her birthday.  Marco made clams and Cristina made Foccacia Bread with tomatoes and olives.  Both were very yummy!  We took turns singing happy birthday to her in many languages.  Greek, Italian, English and Spanish. 

 Clams in half shell with seasoning and bread crumbs heated 15 minutes in the oven.

 Focaccia Bread with Tomatoes and Olives

Cristina's friends for her b'day party.  I packed it in about midnight.  I am still having trouble keeping the hours these Italians keep :)

Sunday June 22 we all gathered at Nicola and Mariella's for church.

 L to R: Carlo, Catherina, Cristina, Marco, Nicola, Mariella, Toula, Malfalda, Timothy, Annarita, Daniel and Mariella's mother Anna (92) in wheelchair. 

Cristina's parents are visiting from Greece and speak no Italian.  I am from the US and speak no Italian.  Cristina and Marco speak all three languages, so Cristina translated for her folks and Marco for me.  What a privilege to witness the bond of love among God's people, no matter what language is spoken... the language of love transcends all other barriers.  It was wonderful.  

Cristina with her folks, Timothy and Toula Priniotaki from Patras, Greece.

Me with Cristina's folks.

There are four generations living in this house.  Marco and Cristina and their two children live on the upper floor (a complete home) also who I am staying with.  Marco's folks Nicola and Mariella and Mariella's mother live on the ground floor, the original complete home. 

 Nicola and Mariella (holding Roberto), her mother Anna, Cristina and Marco.  Also in picture is Cristina's folks from Greece.  Toula holding Aurora and Timothy.

Nicola 

 Marco and Timothy

 Nicola and Mariella and Roberto

 Aurora

 Roberto

 Bougainvillea

 Roberto and his grandpa Timothy

  In the basement is where they make wine and olive oil.

 Marco

Olive oil making

Sunday after church, we all had lunch made by Mariella

and the guys BBQ'd over wood.  

Marco eating raw clams with fresh lemon juice 

and Fresh Figs 

After a long Sunday afternoon nap, at 6pm there was another church service at Malfalda's, then back at Marco's we had a very relaxing evening with a light supper, and early to bed (10:30). 

June 23, 2014.  Monday morning, time to get busy looking for an apartment, because now, I have a bit of an issue, since I need to take a contract back to the US with me to get my VISA.  I did some on-line research over the weekend and found what looked like a good possibility, so this morning, I called them early and Cristina took me to see it.  Yes! Finally!  We both liked it and the area, and the accommodations (all inclusive, electric, etc), but will wait to give you more details about it AFTER I sign the contract, which is scheduled for 10am tomorrow morning (June 24th).  I have found out one thing in Italy... it is not done, until it is done :)  

So now, instead of living in Porto Cesareo, like I thought I would, looks like I will be living in Bari, (this will make Annamaria very happy) anyway for one year, and all this depends on getting my VISA in the US.  It's a good thing I have learned to live in the moment!  Sure makes life more exciting :)

Cristina's folks return to Greece Tuesday (tomorrow, June 24th) and they asked me to go with them.  I really wanted to do this, however, after the previous contract didn't materialize, I wasn't sure if I could find a place and get a contract in time to go with them.  Anyway, looks like I may get to go, if all goes well with getting the contract signed in the morning.  What an opportunity for me.  The crossing to Greece is about a 17 hour Ferry ride.  So after my contract is signed tomorrow, I will then purchase my Ferry ticket to Greece.

My plan then is to return from Greece in a few days.  I have a train ticket to Vicchio for July 1st to pick up some things stored there that I need to take with me to the USA.  On July 2nd, I have a train ticket to Rome to catch an 8:30 pm flight to Dublin, Ireland.  I plan to spend a couple days there, and hope to get in contact with some of my son-n-law's relatives by marriage there. 

July 4th, I fly to Sacramento with a plane change at JFK.  That will be a long day!  Then after the weekend, I have another appointment in San Francisco to get my VISA.  I sure hope it goes through without my needing any more documents.  I have everything they have requested as far as I know.

That is all for today, but will post more as all this transpires. 

Ciao